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DePaul

DePaul University

DePaul requires no supplemental essay, but the optional Common App personal statement is your one real chance to stand out.

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Required supplemental essays

0

Optional essay

Common App personal statement

Personal statement length

250-650 words

Application platform

Common Application

What DePaul rewards

DePaul University does not require a supplemental essay for first-year applicants. You apply through the Common Application, and the only essay in play is the Common App personal statement (250-650 words), which DePaul lists as optional. That makes DePaul one of the lightest writing lifts on most students' lists.

Here is the catch. DePaul is test-optional, and the school specifically encourages test-optional applicants to submit the optional personal essay. So if you are not sending SAT or ACT scores, treat the personal statement as functionally required. It becomes the human evidence the admissions reader uses in place of a test number, and a strong one can tip a borderline file.

01A real human voice. DePaul reads holistically and moves through a lot of files. They reward an essay that sounds like an actual seventeen-year-old talking, not a thesaurus. Concrete and warm beats grand and abstract every time.
02Grit and self-awareness. As a Vincentian school built around access and second chances, DePaul responds to students who have navigated something real and can reflect on it honestly. Show growth, not just achievement.
03Community and service. DePaul's mission centers on service to others, especially people who are overlooked. An essay that shows you noticing and helping someone outside yourself lands well here, as long as it is specific and not performative.
04Fit for a city school. DePaul is woven into Chicago. Curiosity, independence, and a willingness to engage with a big, diverse city read as signs you will thrive there.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

1 prompt for DePaul, each broken down with annotated examples.

Common App Personal Statement (DePaul's optional essay)250-650 words

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (Common App prompt 7, which DePaul accepts as the optional personal essay.)

See all 1 prompt and get a read

Your chance

See your chance

Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at DePaul and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Early ActionNovember 15
Regular NotificationFebruary 1
School of MusicDecember 1
The Theatre SchoolFebruary 1

Cost

Sticker price$66,798
Avg net after aid$32,129
Meets full needPartial
Read my essay for DePaul
Explore DePaul
How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what DePaul weighs most Supplemental essays1 prompt, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $32,129/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes DePaul interview? Format, tips, and practice The DePaul Reader ProScore your draft against DePaul's exact prompts
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DePaul FAQ

What is DePaul's acceptance rate?

DePaul admits roughly 70 percent of first-year applicants, so it is far from a lottery, but the optional essay is still where borderline and test-optional applicants make their case. There is no application fee and recommendation letters are optional, which means the essay is one of the few places your actual voice shows up. At DePaul, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does DePaul require?

DePaul requires 1 supplemental essay on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does DePaul cost?

DePaul's published sticker price is about $66,798 per year, but the average family pays $32,129 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does DePaul require SAT or ACT scores?

DePaul is test-optional: you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, and strong scores are just one factor among many when you do submit them.

When are DePaul's application deadlines?

DePaul's application deadlines are Early Action November 15; Regular Notification February 1; School of Music December 1; The Theatre School February 1. Add DePaul to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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